Method and apparatus for installing pumps in wells



0e@e 6? 19.36o c. J. coBERLY '29056948 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSTALLIG PUMPS IN WELLS Filed Aug. 18, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l K Vv?? il, w mm 45 Z 4 W w dv/WW w MV f w C 1( j' /V VEA/TOR CLARE/VCE d. Cose/uv @t 69 i935 c. J. COBERLY 2,0%41

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING PUMPS IN WELLS Filed Aug. 18, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f/v Vf/V To@ CLAR/S/vcf c/ Co RLY @y yPatented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Clarence J. Cob'erly, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner "on to RokofCorpo'r-a'tion, Reno, Nev.. a

of Nevada Appueeuon .fiume 1s, 1934, seem No. '14u52 12 0mm. (cl. 1oz-4c) My invention relates to a method and means for pumping wells, and relates in particular to a method and apparatus having particular utility in the pumping of oil wells. Although the invention may be employed with various types of well pumping equipment, the original conception l thereof is in connection with the pumping of oil from wells by the use of iluid operated pumps in which the actual oil pump is operated by a iiuid 1o such as clean oil forced under pressure down to the motor of the pump through a pressure pipe which extends from the surface of the well to the pumping mechanism situated in the oil producing zone. 'Ihis form of pumping mechanism ordi- 15 narily includes a fluid motor which is generally of reciprocating type, and a piston pump to which the motor is connected. Delivery oi the operating fluid, or clean oil under pressure, to the motor is controlled by valves situated at the motor, and the exhaust fluid after its power has been expended in operating the motor is discharged into the production pipe or oil tube which also carries the pumped oil from the well to the surface of the ground. Such a pumping mechanism is lowered into the well at the lower end of the pressure piping through which the clean operating oil is to be delivered to the motor of the pump. When the pump is lowered into the oil in the well, the external pressure operating against the pumping mechanism will cause the motor to work in reverse direction, and oil from the well will be permitted to pass inwardly through the motor mechanism into the clean oil delivery tube. This oil from the well is generally dirty; in other words, it carries more or less sand or grit, and consequently such abrasive substances are carried into vthe working parts of the motor with a harmful eiect thereon.

Important objects of my invention are to pro- 4() vide a method and apparatus whereby a pump may be lowered into a position for operation in a well without possibility ol' dirty oil entering operating parts thereof which might be injuredby such entry of dirty oil, and to prevent loss of the quantity of oil contained in the production tube when the pumping mechanism is pulled from the well.

In conjunction with the foregoing, it is also an object of the invention to provide a method and means whereby the body of oil existing in the production pipe during the operation of the pumping mechanism may be retained therein when the pump is pulled from the well for the purpose of repair. The invention contemplates the pro- 6 5 vision of means for placing and maintaining within the pressure uid tube, to the lower end of which the pumping mechanism is attached, a body of `clean oil, the static head of which will resist the entry oi dirty oil into the pump, and the provision of means for receiving and iiltering 5 the oil which is displaced from the production tube as the result of the lowering of the pump into the well.

A further object of the invention is to provide a production tube having a check valve atlthe lower 10 end-thereof so that when the pump is pulled, the oil content of the production tube will not drain back into the well, and having a seal at the upper end of the production tube for preventing the displacement of oil from the production tube 15 onto the derrick iloor as the result of, and during the time of, the relowering of the pumping mechanism and the pressure tube into the oil production tube which contains oil left therein from the preceding pumping operation and clean oil which 1s bled from the pressure piping during the puu- 2 ing of the pump.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of handling a pumping mechanism of the above character in a well, wherein the oil contained in the pressure piping leading to the 25` pumping mechanism is drained into the production tube as the pumping mechanism is drawn, and wherein the lower end of the pressure pump is closed during the relowering of the pumping mechanism into the production tube so that oil from the production tube cannot enter the same, and the oil from the production tube is displaced through suitable piping at the upper end,of the production tube to be subsequently ltered and fed into the pressure piping as the pumping mechanism is lowered toward the oil production zone of the well. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an oil production tube having an inlet check valve at the lower end thereof and means for opening this check valve when it is desired to pull the oil tube from the well, thereby providing a means for draining the production tube at such time and preventing what is known as a wet 45 job.

A further object of the invention isto provide a. simple form of release for the inlet check valve of the oil production tube, which may operate within the production tube and which is so 50 formed that it will positively hold the check valve in open position against the forces which operate to close such valve due to the draining of oil therefrom.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident throughout the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only;

Fig. 1 is a vertically sectioned view showing a. preferred form of apparatus for the practice oi the invention. A Y. K

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower end of the production tube and the bleeder valve releasing means.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section ofI the area defined by the dotted circle/3,01 Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section on a plane represented by the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. A

Fig. 5 is a slightly enlarged vertical section through the control valve mechanism disposed between the lower end of the pressure piping and the pumping mechanism, the parts thereof beingv a well into the oil producing zone of such well.

When so positioned, the oil tube generally has its lower end positioned within a screen pipe I I having screen openings I2 through which the oil enters from the oil bearing formation. The production tube I0 is hung in the well and may have its upper end connected by a collar I3 with a head I4. The head I4 has an opening I3 axially therethrough which is enlarged toward its upper end to provide a chamber I1 in which a sealing member I8 operates to prevent escape of oil upwardly around a string of pressure piping 20 which is lowered therethrough into the oil production tube I0. For the escape of oil from the upper end of the production tube, the head I4 thereof is provided with an outlet opening 2i to which transfer piping 22 is connected, this transfer piping extending to a suitable means for disposal of the oil and in the preferred practice of the invention being connected to a filter 23 of the character shown in my copending application entitled Filtering device, Serial No. 654,431, led J anuary 31, 1933 now Patent No. 2,046,770, July 7, 1936.

The lower end of the oil production tube III is provided with threads 24 for the connection of a valve body 25 having a chamber 23 in the lower portion thereof which connects through a vertical passage 21 with the interior of the production tube I0 and which connects through a lateral opening 28 with the body of oil contained in the oil producing zone of the well. The opening 23 is constricted in outward direction and receives a valve seat 33 which is tapered to correspond to the opening 23 and is inserted through the vertical passage 21. In the chamber 23 is a valve closure means in the form of aball 3l which is forced into engagement with the valve seat 33 by force or pressure derived from the oil which tends to escape through the valve seat and the opening 28. This ball 3| permits oil to enter the chamber 23 and the passage 21 but prevents escape of oil therefrom except when held in open position as vof a control valve mechanism 35, such as shown in the copending application of C. J. Coberly et al.,` entitled Bleeder for deep well pumps, Serial No. 720.414, filed April 13, 1934. and which isy shown in sectionv in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 of the present application. The lower end of the pump 34 has a conical projection 33 adapted to rest in the seat 32 of the valve body 25 so as to provide a seal between the vertical passage 21 of the valve body 25 and the interior of the oil production tube I0. The tapered projectionl or plug 33 has external annular grooves 31 therein so as to produce intervening ribs 33 which engage the seat 32. In the operation of the pumping device clean oil under pressure is pumped down through the pressure piping 20 to operate the pump 34, and the pump 34 draws oil from the well through an opening 4I) in the extension 33, this oil being delivered by the pump 34 into the production tube I3 where it passes upwardly together with the clean oil which discharges from the motor element of the pump 34.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, the control valve mechanism 35 includes a shell 4I comprising an upper member 42 and a lower member 43 which connects to the upper end or motor end of the pump 34. Slidable within the shell 4I is an inner tubular member 44 which is divided into upper and lower sections 45 and 43 by an annular rib or collar 41. The Vlower section 43 of the member 44 is slidable within the bore 43 of the lower tubular member 43. The inner member 44 has a bore 50 which connects to the interior of the pressure piping 20 through a screen member 5I which projects upwardly from a collar 52 employed to connect the member 44 to the piping 20. Extending radially from the lower end of the passage 53 are ports or passages 53 through which communication is made, when the parts 4| and 44 are in extended relation as shown in Fig. 6, with ports 54 connected through a lower vertical passage 55 of the member 44 with the bore 48 of the shell 4I. Accordingly, when the parts 4I and 44 are in extended relation, fluid under pressure from the piping 20 may pass as indicated by arrows 53 through the control valve device to the pump 34. When the parts 4I and 44 are in collapsed relation, as shown in Fig. 5, both the ports 53 and 54 are within the bore 43, and consequently the communication between the pressure piping 20 and the pump 34 is closed oi. When the parts 4I and 44 are in intermediate position, as shown in Fig. 7, the lower ports 54 are within the bore 43 so as to be closed against passage of fluid therethrough; but, the ports 53 are above the upper end of the section 43 of the shell 4I so that the clean oil from the pressure piping may drain to the exterior as indicated by arrows 51.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a pair of upwardly faced shoulders 30 are formed in the upper end of the member 44,v and as shown in Figs. 1 and 6 and 1 and 7, long and short slots 3i and 62 respectively extend downwardly from opposite sides of the shoulders 33. Projecting inwardly andere at the upper end of the member 42 are blocks or lugs 83 adapted to rest upon the shoulders K8|), as vshown in Fig. 5. and to project into the grooves or channels 8| and 82, as shown in Figs. 6 and '1. As shown in Fig. 5, it is possible to move the parts 4I and 44 into collapsed relation and to relatively turn the same so that the lugs 83 will rest upon the shoulders prior to the lowering of the pump into the well and so that during the lowering of the pump into the well, the ports 53 and 54 will be closed.

As the piping 20 is assembled from separate lengths of piping or tubing 84 connected together by collars 85, clean oil or other clean fluid is placed in the piping 20 to exert a static head of fluid therein to resist entry of fluid from the exterior by leakage and to weight the piping 28 so that it will readily descend through the oil in the production tube. As the piping 20 is lowered, additional quantities of clean oil are fed thereinto from a source of supply which is pref erably the filter 23 which is connected through the piping 22 with the upper end of the production tube I0. When the pump 34 reaches its position of operation and the extension engages the seat, the control valve mechanism 35 may be adjusted to bring its parts 4| and 44 into the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 6, this being accomplished by rotating the piping 20 so that the long slots 8| will move into alignment with the lugs 83, whereupon the piping 20 may be raised so as to bring the collar 41 into engagement with a sealing shoulder 88 formed within the upper section 42 of the shell 4I just below the lugs 33. Then fluid under pressure may be pumped downwardly through the piping 2E! to pass as indicated by the arrows 58 through the ports 83 and 84 into the bore 48 which connects with the upper end of the pump 34, thereby operating the pump entirely with clean oil and causing the pump to pump dirty oil from the well upwardly through the production tube III to the discharge piping 22 which connects with the filter 23 and with an oil reservoir, not shown.

When `it becomes necessary to withdraw the pump from the well for the purpose of repair, the piping 20 is first lowered to bring the part 44 into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 5, whereupon the piping 20 is rotated so as to bring the short grooves 82 into alignment with the lugs f 83, The piping 20 is then lifted, and the member 44 moves upwardly until shoulders 88 formed at the lower ends of the grooves 82, as shown in Fig. '7, come into engagement with the lugs 83.' Continued upward movement of the piping 20 then lifts the pump from the well, and at the same time the clean oil from the pressure piping 20 is permitted to bleed out through the ports 83 and the interior of the upper section 42, as shown by the arrows 51 in Fig. 7. When the piping 20 and the pump 34 are withdrawn from the production tube I0, such tube I0 is left nearly full of oil which is held therein by the check valve 3|, by reason of the fact that the pressure fluid in the piping 20 is added to the production oil in the production tube I0.

When the pump is again lowered into the production tube I Il, the piping 20 will displace the oil in the production tube III upwardly. In the practice of my invention, this upwardly displaced oil is forced outwardly through the piping 22 and into the lter 23 by reason of the fact that the upper portion of the chamber I1 of the head I4 is sealed by the member I8. Accordingly, in the practice of my invention a quantity of clean oil is placed in the lower end of the tubing 20 as it is started down into the production tube I0, and thereafter clean oil, for continuing to fill the piping 20 as the length thereof is increased, is taken from the filter 23 to which oil from the production tube l0 is supplied through the discharge piping 22 as the result of the displacement of oil in the tube III by the piping 28 as it is lowered. Therefore, a hose 10 may be connected to the outlet pipe 1| of the filter 23 through which the desired quantities of clean oil may be delivered into the upper end of the piping 20, as required.

The sealing member I8 is so designed that the piping 20 may pass therethrough and so that such sealing member will pass over the collars as the piping 20 moves downwardly. As shown in Figs. l and 3, the upper portion of the head I4 is counterbored to provide a shoulder 12 and is provided with internal threads 13 for receiving the lower end of an annular tapered socket member 14 which receives wedges 15 adapted to engage the piping 2II, as shown in Fig. 1. The sealing member I8 is molded from rubber orrubber composition and includes an upper reinforced ring portion 18 which is held between the shoulder 12 of the head I4 and the lower end of the socket member 14. The ring portion 16 of the sealing member I8 is reinforced by a metal ring 11 having a suitable fabric 18 folded therearound to tie the ring to the rubber from which the sealing member I8 is formed. The sealing member I8 further includes a conical wall 80 which converges downwardly from the ring portion 16, and a cylindrical wall portion 8| at the lower end of the conical wall portion 80. The wall portion 8| is of such diameter that it will grip the surface of the piping 20 but' will let the piping 20 slide therethrough. Pressure of oil in the chamber I1 of the head I4 forces the sealing member tightly against the piping 20 so that a seal is accomplished whichv will prevent leakage of oil upwardly between the surface of the piping 20 and the sealing member I8. On the lower part of the ring portion 18 a downwardly projecting annular lip 84 is formed in a position to engage the inner surface 88 of the head I4. Fluid pressure in the chamber I1 forces the lip 84 outwardly against the surface I8 so as to produce an effective seal supplementary to the seal accomplished by the holding of the ring portion 18 against the shoulder 12 by the socket 14. After, the piping 2|) has been lowered to provide the proper position of operation for the pump 34, the upper end of such piping 28 may be connected to the force pump 88 of the illter device 23 in the manner described in my copending application hereinbefore referred to, Serial No. 654,431, filed January 31, 1933, and entitled Filtering device now Patent No. 2,046,770, July 7, 1936.

My invention provides 'a means for moving the ball 3| into openy relation to the seat 30 when it is desired to drain the production tube III so as to permit a dry Job in pulling the production tube. Such means comprises a member 90, Fig. 2, adapted to be dropped into the production tube I0 and having a stem 8| extending downwardlytherefrom to pass through the vertical passage 21 of the body 25 and to strike the ball 3| and displace it downwardly from the position indicated by dotied lines 92 into the position in which it is shown in full linesin Fig. 2. The stem 3| has a head 84 at the upper end thereof formed with an upwardly faced shoulder and a threaded pin 88 adapted to enter a threaded sol opening 91 of a body 90 of cylindrical form of sufficient weight to cause the member 90 to pass downwardly through the body of oil in the production tube I0.

So that the stem 9| 'will be held forcibly down against the ball 3l to hold it in open relation against the hydraulic force operating to move the vsame into closed position relative to the seat 90.

I provide hydraulic means in connection with the member 90 consisting of a cup washer or sealing member |00 which is held against a dished ring |0| carried by the shoulder 95 of the head 94. When the valve ball 3| is displaced, as above described, the cup washer is expanded so as to make sealing engagement with the wall of the tube i0 and fluid pressure operating downwardly against the body 98 and against the cup washer |00 forces the member 90 downwardly with great pressure, and the draining fluid passes through a by-pass |02 as indicated by arrows |03.; Such bypass |02 comprises radial holes |04 connecting the space |05, above the washer |00, with the opening 91 of the body 90, and diagonal passages or flow restricting orices |06 which are connected with the opening 91 through a vertical opening |01 in the head 94, and lead to the space |08 within the tube |0 lying below the washer |00. The orifices |06 are of smaller area than the opening now existing between the ball 3| and the seat 30 so as to restrict drainage of oil from the upper part of the production tube |0 and to consequently lower the pressure in the space below the plane of the cup washer |00 whereby sufcient differential hydraulic pressure is maintained downwardly against the valve opening device 90 to hold the ball 3| positively in open position. Should it be desired to remove the opening device 90 from the position shown in Fig. 2, without removing the production pipe |0 from the well, I provide an internally threaded socket ||0 at the upper end thereof which may be engaged by a suitably threaded bar or string of rods.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in simple and practical form, it is recognized that certain parts or elements thereof are representative of other parts, elements, or mechanisms which may be used in substantially the same manner to accomplish substantially the same results; therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A method of installing in an oil-filled production tube a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof, comprising: closing the lower portion of said pumping means; lowering said pumping means into said production tube so as to displace oil therefrom; and feeding the displaced oil into said pumping means as the same is moved downwardly in vsaid production tube.

2. A method of installing in an oil-filled production tube a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof, comprising: closing the lower portion of said pumping means; lowering said pumping means into said production tube so as to displace oil therefrom; passing oil which has been displaced from said production tube through a filter; and feeding the oil from the filter into said pumping means.

3. A method of installing in an oil-filled production tube a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof, comprising: moving said pumping means downwardly into said production tube; sealing around said pumping means at a point near the upper end of said production tube as such pumping means is moved downwardly; diverting from the upper end of said production tube the oll displaced in said production tube by said pumping means; passing a portion of the diverted oil through a lter; and then feeding the same into said pumping means.

4. A method of initiating in an oil-filled production tube the operation of a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof, comprising: closing the lower portion of said pumping means; lowering said pumping means into said production tube so as to displace oil therefrom; feeding the displaced oil into said pumping means; opening the lower portion of said pumping means; and forcing an operating fluid under pressure through said pressure piping for the operation of said pumping means.

5. A method of linstalling in an oil-fllled production tube a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof, comprising: closing the lower end of said pressure piping; lowering said pumping means into said production tube soy as to displace oil therefrom; and feeding the displaced oil into the upper end of said pressure piping.

6. A method of installing in an oil-filled production tube a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof. comprising: closing the lower end of said pressure piping; lowering said pumping means into said production tube so as to displace oil therefrom; passing oil which has been displaced from said production tube through a filter; and feeding clean oil from the filter into the upper end of said pressure piping.

7. A method of initiating in an oil-filled production tube the operation of a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof, comprising: closing the lower end of said pressure piping; lowering said pumping means into said production tube so as to displace oil therefrom; feeding the displaced oil into the 4upper end of said pressure piping; opening the lower portion of said pumping means; and forcing an operating fluid under pressure through said pressure piping for the operation of said pumping means. Y

8. A method of installing in an oil-filled production tube a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof, comprising: closing the lower portion of said pumping means; placing a quantity of clean fluid in said pumping means; lowering said pumping means into said production tube so as to displace oil therefrom; and feeding the displaced oil into said pumping means.

9. A method of initiating in an oil-fllled production tube the operation of a pumping means comprising a string of pressure piping having a fluid operated pumping mechanism at the lower end thereof, comprising: closing the lower end of said pressure piping; placing a quantity of clean liquid in said pressure piping; lowering said pumping means into said production tube so as to displace oil therefrom; feeding the displaced oil into the upper end of said pressure piping; opening the lower portion of said pumping means; and forcing an operating fluid under pressure through said pressure piping for the operation of said pumping means.

10. A method of installing in a well a pumping means comprising pressure ilujd piping and a uid actuated pump connected to the lower end thereof, comprising: closing the lower portion of said pumping means; lowering said pumping means into the well; and feeding a clean liquid into the upper end of said pumping means as it is lowered into the Well.

11. Producing equipment for a Well, for use with fluid operated pumping means having pressure uid piping with a fluid operated pump secured to the lower end thereof, comprisingza production tube having an inlet check valve at its lower end; a sealing means at its upper end adapted to permit passage of said pumping means; discharge piping leading from the upper portion of said production tube below said sealing means; a filter connected to said discharge piping; and means for delivering filtered fluid from said lter into said pressure uid piping of said pumping means.

12. Producing equipment for a well, for use with uid operated pumping means having pressure uid piping with a fluid operated pump secured to theflower end thereof, comprising: a production tube having an inlet check valve at its lower end; a sealing means at its upper end adapted to permit passage of said pumping means; and discharge piping leading from the upper portion of said production tube below said sealing means.

CLARENCE J. COBERLY. 

